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The Culling Game arc ofJujutsu Kaisenis undoubtedly one of the most ambitious arcs in the series, introducing a plethora of new characters, techniques, and battles. However, this sprawling storyline also brings its share of challenges—chief among them being how it impacts the series' power scaling.
In a story where combat prowess is a central theme, the complexity of theCulling Game exacerbates the already intricate power system, leaving fans questioning the logic behind many battles and outcomes. Yet, that does not make it grey in its entirety, but at the same time, the narrative steps taken, while creative and unique, might not be enough to justify the sequence of shenanigans in what’s called the final arc of JJK.
A Battle Royale of Inconsistent Standards
What’s the Start, and What’s the End?
The Culling Game operates under a chaotic, battle-royale format where modern and reincarnated sorcerers clash for survival. While this setup offers fertile ground for high-stakes encounters, it also results in wildly fluctuating standards of strength.
The inclusion of reincarnatedHeian-era sorcererscreates a massive power disparity:
Yet their battles often end in ways that downplay their established power levels. For instance, Ishigori, who boasts devastating energy beams, ultimately meets defeat in a seeminglystraightforward clash against Yuta Okkotsu—a character whose versatility can feel at odds with how the series establishes limits.
My scars are a reminder of how far I’ve come.
This inconsistency extends to modern sorcerers like Hiromi Higuruma, whose domain,Deadly Sentencing, stands out for its unique, non-lethal mechanics. While his trial-based power offers a refreshing narrative twist, its strict rules contrast sharply with the freeform violence of other domains, leaving fans wondering how such techniques fit within the broader hierarchy.
Cursed Techniques and Their Implementations
From Ingenious to Overpowered
One of the most contentious elements ofJujutsu Kaisen’spower scalingis the nature of cursed techniques, which vary from genius-level innovations to borderline absurdity. Characters introduced during the Culling Game are prime examples of this disparity:
Domain Expansions and Their Narrative Weight
Where it Starts Going into Uncharted Territory
Domains are the pinnacle of cursed techniques, representing a sorcerer’s absolute mastery over their power. The Culling Game introduces multiple new domains, but their portrayal often raises more questions than answers.
Love Is The Most Twisted Curse Of All
Higuruma’sDeadly Sentencing, for example, offers a refreshing departure from the usual “sure-kill” factor, replacing it with a courtroom trial. Yet, this novelty contrasts with the more straightforward and lethal domains seen earlier in the series.
Moreover, the arc does little to explain how these domains interact, such as in cases of overlapping expansions, leaving fans to speculate on outcomes that the narrative fails to clarify.
Pacing Issues and Overcrowded Roster
The Dichotomy Between Strong and Weak
Another major issue that compounds the power-scaling confusion is the sheer number of new charactersintroduced during the Culling Game. With dozens of participants, including historical figures brought back to life, the arc struggles to give each character the depth and context needed to fully understand their abilities.
For instance, while characters like Reggie Star and Uro are given brief moments to shine, their abilities are often overshadowed by the next fight. The constant barrage of battles makes it difficult for readers to gauge how these figures measure up against existing characters like Yuji, Yuta, or Megumi.
The Role of Emotions and Variability
It All Stops Making Sense
One of the core themes ofJujutsu Kaisen’spower system is the influence of emotions. Characters can push beyond their limits through sheer resolve, as seen with Yuji and Maki, or succumb to despair, diminishing their abilities. While this adds depth to the battles, it also introduces an element of unpredictability that makes consistent power scaling nearly impossible.
This variability is most evident in the battle between Yuta and Ishigori. Despite Ishigori’s overwhelming cursed energy output, Yuta’s resourcefulness and emotional drive allow him to triumph. While this aligns with the series' thematic focus on human determination, it also undercuts the established metrics of power.
A Double-Edged Sword
What Needs To Be Changed
TheCulling Game arc expands the universe ofJujutsu Kaisen, introducing fascinating characters, techniques, and stakes. However, this ambition comes at a cost: the power scaling becomes murky, with characters’ abilities often feeling at odds with their narrative weight. The result is an arc that prioritizes spectacle over consistency, leaving fans divided over its execution.
To reconcile these issues, future arcs (none at the moment.)—or even adaptations—might benefit from more focused storytelling, ensuring that battles not only dazzle but also align with the series’ foundational rules. Until then, the Culling Game remains a testament to both the strengths and flaws ofJujutsu Kaisen’sworld-building.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Based on Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen manga, Mappa’s battle shonen anime envisions a world where Jujutsu Sorcerers battle against entities born out of Cursed Energy. One day, a teenager named Yuji Itadori is dragged into this conflict when he eats a possessed finger.
